Have you ever seen a person on here present or write their opinion as if it was a fact when in reality it’s just their opinion?

Question

TheRealPepperPotts · Accepted Answer

It's an easy thing to do, so I'm sure most of us have. Sometimes we forget that people need context to understand why we think the way we do. That comes in the form of evidence, like data or life experience, depending on the topic.

The challenge with either of those evidences is that not all evidence is created equal or ought to be given the same weight. I can take a poll from a certain demographic of people, and depending on how the poll is structured, I can conclude just about anything. For example, f I take a poll from Christians, I will get different results than if I take a poll from atheists, but I don't necessarily have to reveal the demographic that I questioned. That's why we have to be so careful what data we use to draw conclusions and how that data was collected, what perimeters were used, and the credibility of those collecting the data.

There are people who tend to think that just because something is a statistic that it's a fact, or just because something is written by a doctor, it's science. But the reality is usually more complicated than that. There are doctors who write things that are based on their opinions, which isn't totally invalid, but sometimes people make the logical fallacy of an appeal to authority (a doctor) in order to legitimize an argument that has very little actual evidence to back it up. This is one reason the internet has become a informational disaster.

Another thing that makes truth claims complicated is that sometimes, we find new information that changes how we evaluate old information. It's not that the old information was wrong, it's that it was incomplete. So, if someone states something as fact that we now know is inaccurate, sometimes it simply means that they have incomplete information. But if they have based their identity on the correctness of their ideas and not on values like compassion, love, and authenticity, correction becomes an attack on them rather than simply learning something new.

All that said, the important thing is to always seek context and understanding before leading with what you don't agree with. It's easy to pick someone's perspective apart and be snarky. It's difficult to win them over, or even to agree to disagree while maintaining civility and goodwill.

That's my opinion, anyway... :D

petitedollbabee · Accepted Answer

Yeah, it’s a common occurrence.

ProbablyClueless · Accepted Answer

Of course. That happens all the time on here. I'm presently blocked by a woman because I (a white guy) think Indian women are absolutely gorgeous and she's convinced that every non-Indian man (and a lot of Indian men too) hates Indian women.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

if it was a fact, they should be able to back it up with evidence or at the very least be able to explain it logically without involving emotions or feelings

jshm2 · Answer

Usually atheists, when they talk about "religion".

BCRanger10 · Answer

It's a daily thing.

MarjorieJ · Answer

Yes, the Trump haters.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

Pretty sure everyone here does that lol

jahaims · Answer

All the time

Have you ever seen a person on here present or write their opinion as if it was a fact when in reality it’s just their opinion?

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Have you ever seen on this website some people state their opinion as if it was a fact?

Have you ever seen a person on here present or write their opinion as if it was a fact when in reality it’s just their opinion?

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Have you ever seen on this website some people state their opinion as if it was a fact?

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